Optimal wall washing kick reflector

Abstract

A recessed downlight wall wash reflector assembly having a wall wash reflector installable into a standard mounting frame for a recessed downlight reflector having a similarly sized light exit aperture. The reflector assembly has a downlight reflector, a window cutout in the wall of the downlight reflector and a wall wash reflector attached to the reflector assembly such that it is positioned behind the window cutout and has a lower tab that extends into the lower portion of the window cutout providing for a higher angle of reflection of light from nadir.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not applicable.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.FIELD OF INVENTION[0003]This invention relates to recessed light fixture reflector assemblies, and particularly to downlight wall wash reflector assemblies which provide an optimum reflection onto the wall near the plane of the ceiling.DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART[0004]Recessed light fixtures are light fixtures which are recessed behind a planar surface, such as a ceiling, wall, or floor. The fixtures are designed such that light exits the fixture through a hole or opening in the planar surface. The fixtures are primarily used in ceilings. Since generally no components of the fixture hang down below the plane of the ceiling, use of the fixtures allows lighting designers to illuminate a workspace while maintaining a smooth ceiling line. Thus, illumination is provided while the source of the light is, in effect, concealed.[0005]Since the light sou...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved downlight wall wash reflector or kick reflector assembly installable into standard recessed downlight reflectors having wall wash windows providing optimal wall washing capability.

[0014]Other embodiments of the recessed downlight wall wash reflector assembly of the present invention address having a variety of standard downlight reflectors with different shaped surfaces and wall wash window cutouts. Various configurations of the downlight / wall wash reflector assemblies of the present invention are claimed herein so that a variety of down light reflector configurations may provide optimal wall washing light.

[0015]These and other objectives are accomplished by the present invention by providing a kick or wall wash reflector having a partial ellipsoidal shape and having a downwardly extending tab. The tab extends into the lower edge of the wall wash window in the standard downlight reflector and terminates near the plane of the ceiling. This tab provides a reflective surface near the light exit aperture of the luminaire and reflects incident light near parallel to the plane of the ceiling. This configuration optimizes the wall washing capability of the luminaire by minimizing the dark areas on the wall near the plane of the ceiling.

Problems solved by technology

Direct view of the light source, or even a reflection of the light source in the reflector assembly, will create glare and uncomfortable brightness to an observer in the room.

This scalloped illumination effect is often undesirable and occasionally unacceptable.

This configuration limits the angle at which the light may be reflected toward the wall, thus leaving a large area of darkness on the wall above the wall washing light.

Images